Former Iowa lawmaker found not guilty of sexually abusing wife who had dementia

GARNER, Iowa – A former Iowa lawmaker has been aquitted of sexually abusing his wife who suffered from dementia, in a case that centered on questions about when a person is no longer mentally capable of consenting to sex.

Jurors on Wednesday found 78-year-old Henry Rayhons not guilty of abusing his wife, Donna Lou Rayhons. He was accused of having sex with her at her nursing home on May 23, after being told she was no longer mentally capable of consenting due to her Alzheimer's disease.

She died in August.

Jurors weighed testimony from family members, doctors and investigators throughout the trial. In closing arguments, Rayhons' defense attorney said a guilty verdict could have widespread implications, but prosecutors countered that a not guilty verdict would put others with dementia at risk.